France has a reputation as a high tax jurisdiction and while President Hollande was in power, some wealthy French nationals chose to move to the UK and Portugal, enticed by their fiscal sweeteners. But France can be a tax efficient place to live for retirees, providing you understand the tax implications of your specific situation...

How do I learn a foreign language? It is easy to start, but it is worth learning from those who have done it before to find out what works. We set out our top 10 tips for learning a foreign language. Know why you are learning the language. Make sure that before you start you...

The car is a key part of life in Australia if you are getting out of the cities to enjoy the coast, the bush and the many other joys of life in Australia.  The rules are different in each state and territory. Driving Licence The regulations for driving in Australia are set by the individual...

It is very useful to have access to a local account on arrival and Australian banks encourage you to open an account before you move to Australia.  You can open an account online up to a year before you arrive in Australia.  You can deposit funds in the account once opened but will only be...

If you decide to take your pet with you to Australia you will need to comply with the detailed regulations and procedures and some pets cannot be taken to Australia. Cats and dogs can be imported to Australia under strict conditions designed to manage biosecurity risks. For the import conditions applicable to your cat or...

Taking vehicles to Australia is possible but you should be clear on what is involved and whether it is worthwhile. If you plan to take your vehicle to Australia you will need to be realistic about what is involved and the costs of doing so.  The vehicle will need to comply with Australian design and...

You need to have a visa to enter Australia. The exact visa requirements will vary according to the length and purpose of your intended stay. The Australian Department of Home Affairs has a useful Visa Finder which allows you to work out which visa will meet your situation. The main categories of visa are as...

We are in the process of considering a return to the UK. We left in April 2015 and we are resident in the Philippines. If we return we plan to sell our property in the Philippines to use as payment for a property in the UK. The question is, will the money to be transferred...

Each year, countless people leave the UK for foreign shores, chasing a new life or career. Yet this break from Great Britain may not be clean in the eyes of HMRC, who could disagree with your ‘expat’ status. This article was written exclusively for Expat Network by SimpleTax Many non-resident Britons still face obligations when it...

With early and careful planning, you can prevent costly mistakes and make the most of tax-efficient opportunities when moving to France. It is important to be wary of UK rules on residence. By Jason Porter This article was written exclusively for Expat Network by Jason Porter, Business Development Director at tax and wealth management advisors Blevins...

You can still be liable for UK income tax even if you think you are safely non-resident. Make sure you pass the statutory residence test, writes Iain Yule. The UK’s statutory residence test is a welcome development after the old system, say advisers at expat specialists Blevins Franks, and provides much more certainty. However for...

As a collection of seven separate emirates, there are some differences between emirates in the rules and procedures for buying property. For this guide we will focus on Dubai, where buyers from India, Pakistan and the UK make up the three largest overseas contingents. Buying an existing (resale) property in Dubai follows a similar pattern...